MENLO PARK, Calif., June 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Twelve percent of Washington, D.C.-area technology executives surveyed recently expect to expand their IT teams in the third quarter of 2013, according to the just-released Robert Half Technology IT Hiring Forecast and Local Trend Report. This compares to 16 percent in the previous quarter. In addition, 59 percent plan to hire to fill open IT roles in the upcoming quarter, 20 percent plan to put hiring plans on hold, and 7 percent expect to reduce their IT staff in the third quarter.

In the same survey, 85 percent of Washington, D.C., CIOs were optimistic about their companies' prospects for growth in the third quarter, and 64 percent felt confident in their firms' third-quarter investment in IT projects.

Washington, D.C., IT Hiring Forecast

Q2

Q3

CIOs adding more staff to IT departments

16%

12%

CIOs planning to hire only for open IT roles

63%

59%

CIOs who plan to put IT hiring plans on hold

18%

20%

CIOs who plan to reduce their IT staff

2%

7%

Don't know future hiring plans

2%

2%

*Numbers may not total 100 percent due to rounding.

"Although hiring projections for the third quarter appear to be more conservative in the Washington, D.C., metro area, companies continue to look for IT professionals with specialized skills," said Chris Brinkman, Washington, D.C., regional vice president of Robert Half Technology. "Many companies are beginning to increase compensation and employee perks in an effort to retain top talent."

The IT Hiring Forecast and Local Trend Report results reflect a two-quarter rolling average based on interviews with 200 CIOs from a stratified random sample of companies in the Washington, D.C., area with 100 or more employees.The survey was developed by Robert Half Technology and conducted by an independent research firm. In order for the study to ensure that companies from all segments were represented, the sample was stratified by number of employees. The results were then weighted to reflect the proper number of employees in the greater metropolitan Washington, D.C., area. Robert Half Technology is a leading provider of IT professionals on a project and full-time basis and has been tracking IT hiring activity in the United States since 1995.

Recruiting ChallengesIn terms of recruiting, 71 percent of Washington, D.C., CIOs said it's somewhat or very challenging to find skilled IT professionals today. It is most challenging to find skilled talent in the functional areas of networking (20 percent), data/database management (17 percent) and help desk/technical support (13 percent).

Confidence in Business Growth and IT InvestmentsThe survey results suggest that Washington, D.C., CIOs are optimistic about their companies' growth and IT investments. Eighty-five percent of CIOs reported being somewhat or very confident in their companies' prospects for growth in the third quarter of 2013. This compares to 86 percent in the previous quarter.

Sixty-four percent of CIOs also said they were confident that their firms would invest in IT projects in the third quarter of 2013. This compares to 72 percent in the previous quarter.

Skills in DemandSixty-one percent of Washington, D.C., technology executives surveyed said that network administration is among the skill sets in greatest demand within their IT departments. Desktop support and database management followed, with 55 percent and 53 percent of the response, respectively.

About Robert Half Technology With more than 100 locations worldwide, Robert Half Technology is a leading provider of technology professionals for initiatives ranging from web development and multiplatform systems integration to network security and technical support. Robert Half Technology offers online job search services at www.rht.com.Visitors can also request a copy of the Robert Half Technology 2013 Salary Guide, which includes a wide range of IT job descriptions.